Introduction to the NOAA Diving Program and Diving Regulations & Policies

1. Introduction to the NOAA Diving Program and Diving Regulations & Policies Presented by the NOAA Diving Center Seattle, Washington

2. Regulatory Authority History of NOAA regulations Applicability of regulations and exceptions NOAA Diving Program (NDP) organizational structure NDP advisory boards Eligibility and maintenance of certification NDP diver classifications Certifications Reciprocity Logging dives Reportable diving incidents Safety rules highlights OSHA Diving Regulations OSHA Scientific Exemption Compliance NOAA Scientific and Working Diving Manuals NAO 209-123 Global View

3. Introduction • Need & Value: Regulations bring order to events and help ensure safety. NOAA divers need to know and adhere to various regulations that affect how they dive. • Effect: You will conform to all applicable regulations because you understand their purposes and the benefits of compliance.

4. Two major programs support undersea research within NOAA The NOAA Diving Program (NDP) The Ocean Exploration & Research (previous NURP) The NDP supports intramural research efforts conducted primary by NOAA personnel The NURP supports extramural research efforts conducted by scientists from academic institutions NOAA Diving Program

5. Why dive? • Trying to learn about the oceans and the plants and animals that live there using surface-based sampling techniques is like an alien trying to learn about life on earth using a scoop bucket from a spacecraft. • The results would be misleading and inaccurate

6. In-Situ Research • There’s no substitute for in-situ (in place) research conducted by humans that can see, feel, and touch these plants and animals in their own environment • No machine built to date can replace the diver’s hands, eyes, and brain

7. Program Mission Statement To ensure that all NOAA diving operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and economically in support of NOAA's goals and objectives.

8. Program Goals To establish standards and procedures for conducting safe diving operations To provide professional, comprehensive, and innovative instruction To provide safe, state-of-art, and well maintained dive equipment To provide guidance and expertise to the diving community To investigate new diving technologies and techniques To foster cooperative working relationships with other research diving programs To promote NOAA and the Dive Program through educational outreach

9. Guiding Documents

10. NOAA Dive Unit Locations

11. What do NOAA divers do? NOAA Diving Program Seattle, Washington, USA

12. Who dives for NOAA? NOAA scientists, technicians, professional mariners, educators, and managers With more than 450 active divers, NOAA has the largest complement of divers of all civilian agencies in the U.S. NOAA Diving Program Seattle, Washington, USA

13. Science Tasks Observing and monitoring Gathering data Photographing flora and fauna Counting, measuring and collecting samples Tasks meet criteria outlined in 29 CFR1910.401(a)(2)(iv)(B), for scientific exemption. NOAA Diving Program Seattle, Washington, USA

14. Working Tasks Ship husbandry Search & recovery Installation Maintenance & repair Test & evaluation Inspection & survey Tasks are subject to 29 CFR 1910, Subpart T NOAA Diving Program Seattle, Washington, USA

15. Training & Proficiency Tasks Tasks conducted during initial or refresher training In order to remain on the active dive roster, NOAA divers must perform a minimum of one (1) dive every six (6) weeks NOAA Diving Program Seattle, Washington, USA

16. Number of NOAA Divers1990 thru 2009

17. Science vs. Working Divers 2001 - 2008

18. SECO ReportedDive-Related Incidents

19. NOAA Diving Program Organizational Structure Diving Control & Safety Board Diving Program Manager Diving Medical Board Technical Advisory Committee NMAO Fleet Diving Officer NMFS Line Diving Officer NOS Line Diving Officer OAR Line Diving Officer Unit Diving Supervisors Unit Diving Supervisors Unit Diving Supervisors Unit Diving Supervisors Divemasters Divemasters Divemasters Divemasters Divers Divers Divers Divers Diving Safety Officer

20. NOAA Diving Control & Safety Board Dave Dinsmore NOAA Diving Program Manager Seattle WA Bill Gordon OMAO DDO , Seattle, WA Greg McFall NOS LODO, Savannah, GA Ray Boland NMFS DDO, Honolulu, HI Andy David (Chair) NMFS LODO, Panama City, FL Douglas Schleiger DCM, Seattle, WA Mitchell Tartt NOS DDO, Silver Spring, MD CDR Joel Dulaigh, USPHS NDC Diving Medical Officer Seattle, WA Steven Urick NOAA Diving Safety Officer Seattle, WA

21. NOAA Diving Center Organizational Structure _ _____ __ _____ ___ _______ _________ NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) 21 21

22. The NOAA Diving Center Administrative headquarters Training Equipment maintenance & distribution Field support Dive unit inspections NOAA Diving Program Seattle, Washington, USA

23. Regulatory Authority • NOAA divers must adhere to several sets of regulations, standards and policies specifically related to diving: • 29 CFR 1910, Subpart T (OSHA Commercial Diving Regulations) • NOAA Diving Regulations (aka: NOAA Administrative Order 209-123), • NOAA Scientific Diving Standards and Safety Manual, • NOAA Scientific Diving Standards and Safety Manual, and • OMAO Policies (0300 series)

24. History of NOAA Diving Regs • The first set of NOAA diving regulations was implemented in February 1972 • Subsequent revisions • August 12, 1974 • November 30, 1983 • March 29, 1991 • May 2, 2003 • September 22, 2011

25. NAO 209-123: Purpose • The Order establishes requirements, policies, responsibilities, and authorities for the development, implementation, and oversight of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Diving Program (NDP). • The purpose of this order is to ensure all NOAA diving operations are conducted in a manner that will maximize protection of divers from accidental injury and/or illness.

26. NAO 209-1213: Scope • The Order applies to: • All NOAA employees engaged in diving activities during official duty hours (i.e., when receiving financial compensation for work performed) and Non-NOAA personnel performing dives under the direct supervision of a NOAA Divemaster or Lead Diver, where compressed gas is breathed in a hyperbaric environment. • All diving activities conducted by NOAA divers and reciprocity partners, during official duty hours, regardless of the types of tasks performed underwater (i.e., working or scientific).

27. NAO 209-123: Exceptions NOAA divers may deviate from the requirements of this Order provided the deviation is necessary to prevent or minimize a situation which is likely to cause death, serious physical harm, total loss of property, or major environmental damage; and the Divemaster or Lead Diver notifies the NOAA Diving Program Manager, Line/Staff Offices Diving Officer, NOAA Diving Safety Officer and Unit Diving Supervisor of the deviation within 24 hours of the onset of the emergency situation (e.g., a situation whose immediacy precludes otherwise required consultation and approval by the NOAA Diving Control and Safety Board to prevent, minimize or address a critical, time-sensitive situation which is likely to cause death, serious physical harm, total loss of property, or major environmental damage.) 

28. NAO 209-123: Stnds & Procedures • This Order authorizes the issuance of Safety Manuals to augment the policies, procedures, and guidelines in this Order and is intended to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the NDP by providing for the timely development and issuance of programmatic guidance to the NOAA diving community. • Safety Manuals shall apply to all individuals and Programs involved with the NDP and have the same force, effect, and authority as this Order.

29. Standards and Safety Manuals • NOAA Scientific Diving Standards and Safety Manual (NSDSSM) • Approved 14 August 2008 • Covers standards, policies, and procedures for conducting “scientific” dives • NOAA Working Diving Standards and Safety Manual (NWDSSM) • Approved 14 July 2011 • Covers standards, policies, and procedures for conducting “working” dives

30. Scientific Diving Manual • Administration • Personnel • Certification and Training • Standards and Procedures • Equipment • Medical Standards • Nitrox Diving • Staged Decompression Scuba Diving • Mixed Gas Diving • Rebreathers • Emergency Procedures • Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements • Appendices

31. Working Diving Manual • Administration • Personnel • Certification • Training • Standards and General Procedures • Diving Procedures • Equipment • Medical Standards • Emergency Procedures • Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements • Appendices

32. NOAA Dive Certification • Who’s eligible to become NOAA certified to dive? • NOAA employees (GS, CAPS, WG, WM, and NOAA Corps) and contractors • Non-NOAA personnel (e.g., contract-employees, volunteers) • Minimum NOAA diving qualification requirements • Pass a NOAA diving physical examination • Pass a NOAA swim test • Pass written test(s) • Pass skills checkout • Current CPR, First Aid and Oxygen Administration

33. Classifications of NOAA divers • NOAA diver classifications • Observer Diver • Volunteer Diver • Scientific Diver • Working Diver • Advanced Working Diver • Master Diver • Scientific divers are limited to tasks associated with observation and data collection • Working divers are not limited by the tasks to be performed

34. Maintenance of dive certification • Requirements for maintaining dive certification • Maintain dive proficiency by conducting a minimum of 3 dives per quarter • Maintain current CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen Administration • Pass annual watermanship assessment • Complete annual medical history report • Maintain a current diving physical • Age 18-47 – every 5 years • Age 48 – every 4 years • Age 49 – every 3 years • Age 50-59 – every 2 years • Age 60+ – every 1 year Note: Remember a dive physical is not cleared until it has been approved by the NDC Diving Medical Officer

35. Recertification-1 • 3-6 month lapse diver must perform a training-only, basic checkout dive with the UDS or designee. Based on the diver’s performance during the checkout dive, the UDS may require additional academic or practical training in order to recertify.

36. Recertification-2 • 6-12 month lapse diver must perform a training-only, basic checkout dive with the UDS or designee. LODO/SODO shall determine if the diver has met the recertification requirements and either authorize the diver to return to diving status or specify any additional requirements needed to reauthorize. • 12+ months lapse diver must complete a refresher training program specified by the LODO/SODO.

37. Suspension & Revocation-1 • NOAA dive certifications may be temporarily suspended or permanently revoked for cause by the NDPM, LODO/SODO, UDS, or on-site DM. • Examples of infractions leading to temporary suspension: • Failure to comply with requirements for maintaining certification • Improperly using or maintaining NOAA-provided diving equipment • Failure to comply with the standards, policies and procedures • Reporting to the dive station mentally or physically impaired due to alcohol or other substance abuse • Surfacing from a dive with less than 500 psi in scuba cylinders

38. Suspension & Revocation-2 • Examples of infractions leading to revocation: • Flagrant violation of NOAA standards, regulations, and policies; (e.g., diving solo without a tender, diving after notification of a lapsed physical exam without obtaining reauthorization); or • A not-fit-for-dive duty determination has been made by the Chair, NDMRB, following the conclusion of an Individualized Assessment (See NOAA Diving Medical Standards and Procedures Manual).

39. Appeal Process • Suspended divers may appeal the decision to the NDCSB within 30 days of receipt of notification. • Terminated divers may appeal the decision to the OMAO Director within 30 days of receipt of notification.

40. Use of NOAA-Issued Dive Gear • NOAA divers must use the following NOAA-issued equipment on all duty dives: • Regulator set, depth and pressure gauges • Reserve Air Supply System • Buoyancy compensator* • NOAA divers may use NOAA-issued equipment for non-duty dives provided they: • Sign NOAA Diver Agreement for Off-Duty Use and Liability Waiver • Complete Off-Duty Proficiency Skills Checklist *Note: Use of personal BC’s are considered on a case-by-case basis

41. Reciprocity • Reciprocity allows NOAA divers to dive with these pre-approved institutions and vice-versa. NOAA has reciprocity with over 100 non-NOAA institutions and organizations • NOAA divers needing to dive with a reciprocity organization must complete and email a “Request for Letter of Reciprocity” to Jennifer Carriere at the NDC a minimum of 1-week prior to dive operations • Reciprocity divers needing to dive with NOAA must present a signed “Letter of Reciprocity” from the reciprocity diver’s Diving Safety Officer to the NOAA Unit Diving Supervisor Form available at www.ndc.noaa.gov

42. Reportable Injuries • All work-related injuries, whether the direct, or indirect result of diving, must be reported in compliance with DOC and NOAA policies • Examples of reportable diving injuries include: • Fatalities • Injuries requiring recompression therapy • Injuries, whether work-related or not, requiring hospitalization or that otherwise may affect an individual’s fitness to dive • Any injury requiring more than basic first-aid, or hospitalization of any kind must be reported to the UDS/NDC!

43. Other Reportable Incidents • Occasionally incidents occur that do not result in a reportable injury, but that nevertheless may warrant awareness by NDP officials • Examples include: • Equipment malfunction or failure (e.g., ScubaPro regulator) • “Near miss” or “close call” incidents that could have resulted in a fatality or serious injury • Evidence of poor judgment by a NOAA diver

44. Diver Responsibilities-1 • Adheres to the standards contained within this manual when conducting working dives. • Refuses to dive when in their judgment conditions are unsafe, or if they would be violating the precepts of their training or the requirements in this manual. • Maintains good physical condition and a high level of diving proficiency. • Reports to the DM or LD any changes of a physical or psychological nature that may adversely impact their or their buddy’s fitness to dive. • Will not begin or continue a dive if problems exist of a physical or psychological nature that can compromise the safety of the diver or dive team.

45. Diver Responsibilities-1 • Ensures diving equipment used is maintained in a safe operating condition. • Is accountable for NOAA-issued equipment. • Adheres to the buddy system, actively monitors buddy status including, but not limited to, cylinder pressure, and intervenes to the maximum extent practicable to ensure the safety of the dive team. • Refrains from the use of illegal drugs.

46. NDP Safety Rules • No solo diving • A “Designated Person-In-Charge” and “standby diver” must be topside for all “working dives” • A “support person” must be topside for all “scientific dives,” and a “standby diver” must be topside for all “science dives” and prepared to render assistance unless otherwise authorized by the Unit Diving Supervisor • Diving depths are limited to 130 feet unless approved by the NOAA Diving Control & Safety Board (NDCSB) and diving is limited to the USN no-decompression limits unless approved by the NDCSB • Over-bottom dives require direct reference with surface

47. NDP Safety Rules con’t. • Dives beyond a comfortable swimming distance from shore, in current and/or arduous egress require a support boat and operator/tender • A means must be available to safely remove an injured diver from the water • Form 64-3 “Dive Safe Ship Operations Checklist” is to be used during ship-related dive activities • The location, means of accessibility, and contact information for the nearest operational recompression chamber must be obtained before diving

48. NDP Safety Rules con’t. • All divers must be trained and current in CPR, first aid, and oxygen administration • Oxygen resuscitator for non-breathing victim must be on-site • Use of dive equipment other than open-circuit scuba and/or breathing mixtures other than air or nitrox, requires approval of the NDCSB • Air compressors must be tested for air quality every 6 months • Regulators will be inspected and overhauled annually

49. NDP Safety Rules con’t. • Scuba cylinders inspected annually and hydrostatically tested every five (5) years (Stickers available from NDC) • Minimum diver-worn equipment required includes floatation device, depth gauge, pressure gauge, dive timer, and alternate air source • Equipment used with breathing gases containing >40% oxygen must be cleaned and maintained for oxygen service • NOAA certified divers shall undergo yearly refresher training in oxygen administration, recognition & treatment of diving accidents and injuries, and decompression tables, and conduct in-water rescue exercises (on NDC website and MOCDOC’s)

50. NDP Safety Rules con’t. • Two-way communications capable of contacting emergency assistance from the dive site • The NOAA Reserve Air Supply System (RASS) must be worn on all OSHA “working” dives and on selected NOAA “scientific” dives. • A formal written dive plan must be completed and submitted to the appropriate Unit Diving Supervisor, or his designee, for review, approval and signature prior to each separate dive operation.